Hyla School takes students beyond textbooks and tests to foster a love of learning. Is your student insatiably curious? Do they seek solutions that keep pace with their increasingly complex understanding of the world? As parents, we want to nurture innate curiosities and equip our children with the skills to thrive in the ever-changing world they will inherit. We also know the future calls for individuals who can adapt creatively and compassionately to complex and evolving issues. Schools that cultivate these abilities teach beyond the textbook and test. They create space for hands-on exploration and personalized…

On June 8th, we celebrated the Hyla class of 2024 and presented them with their high school diplomas. Throughout the commencement ceremony, each senior stepped to the podium to speak. Their words were full of grace, humor, inspiration, perspective, gratitude, and optimism. We are so proud of you all. We are also proud to share several excerpts from their commencement speeches. Enjoy. Gabriella Matriotti “The future has many unknowns for us……and that can be frightening. When we look around at the challenges that face us in this fast-changing world, a world where there is crisis at…

Check out the recent article in the Bainbridge Review about some new signage coming to the Bainbridge ferry terminal’s passenger walkway. This project is part of the “Climate Change” class at Hyla’s upper school, which is a UW curriculum, offered through Hyla’s partnership with the University of Washington and their “UW in the High School” program. Hyla teachers go through training to teach the college-level course and students earn college credit. Click here to read the full article. Want to learn more about the UW at Hyla and the many other options for advanced learning at…

Thank you to all the families who came to STEM Night to learn from students – and for bringing your curiosity and questions! The evening was full of lively inquiry as families toured student-made displays and talked with students about their projects and research – check out the video on Instagram to hear the buzz! STEM at the Upper School STEM at the upper school goes beyond core math and science classes and also weaves through Aperture classes, Electives, and Panoramas. Students had the option to choose an area of learning from any Hyla STEM class…

By Cooper Rooks, middle school PE Teacher & Ultimate Coach. The Hyla Middle School Ultimate team, which includes over a dozen student athletes from other schools on the island, made the annual pilgrimage last weekend to Spring Reign, the largest youth Ultimate tournament in the world. On Saturday, the Hyla Frogs played three games against well polished teams from the Seattle area. Unlike their opponents, these were their first games of the year against other teams, after a spring season of only scrimmaging with our own team. As Hyla was getting warmed up, they had help…

By Malauri Uhl, middle school English teacher. Vanderbilt was my mom’s signature scent for many years. She first purchased it at Dillard’s, using earnings from her job delivering root beer floats on roller skates at the local A&W. Over time, finding a bottle nestled in her Christmas stocking became a cherished tradition. The small, round atomizer, adorned with the delicate outline of a swan, graced her vanity on a mirrored tray. I recall leaving fingerprints on the shiny gold lid as I lifted it to inhale the familiar aroma — a blend of floral, citrus, and musk.…

By KNA and Tom Neal, upper school teachers Greetings from Oaxaca! After a full four days acclimating to the dry mountain heat and taking in the endless sensory delights of this stunning city and cultural epicenter, we are excited to report back on an itinerary that has been packed with amazing experiences so far.  Appropriately, our adventure began with an exploration of the ruins of Monte Albán, once the epicenter of a thriving Zapotec civilization that predated the Aztecs. Students climbed the steep stairs of ancient temples, contemplated 360 degree vistas of the Oaxacan valley, and learned about…

During the Spring 2024 Panorama course, a group of upper school students and teachers built a Tiny Home in our parking lot. Check out the article in the Bainbridge Review!

By Brad Waugh, upper school Math teacher. This semester, our students embarked on a new Aperture class called Worldviews: The History & Philosophy of Science where they dive into pivotal moments in scientific history, unraveling the philosophical and social impacts of groundbreaking discoveries. The aim is to foster an understanding of the dynamic, and often fractious, interplay between philosophy and science. We kicked off the Aperture by delving into the concept of “the scientific method.” Students were intrigued to find that there are numerous interpretations of this method across various sources – including their own experiences…

By James Rufo-Hill, upper school Science teacher. “Should Winslow growth go up or out?” That question ran above the fold in a recent issue of our local paper, the Bainbridge Island Review. At the same time, debate raged on a local Facebook group over whether a local business should sacrifice some of its property for bicycle infrastructure. Perhaps you scrolled through that thread while sitting in roundabout construction traffic along SR 305? Or maybe you just looked out your window and wondered whether or not they really needed to cut down all those trees? Those are…